Orthopedic implant with improved variable angle locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

An orthopedic implant including an outer surface and at least one opening extending through the outer surface for receiving a fastener for coupling the implant to a patients bone or bone portion/fragment. The opening including a plurality of fins circumferentially disposed about the opening for engaging threads formed on a head portion of the fastener to secure the fastener to the implant. The plurality of fins being arranged and configured in first and second vertically spaced rows of fins. At least one of the fins including a different configuration, property, etc. relative to at least one of the other plurality of fins. In one embodiment, each of the first and second fins in a vertically stacked relationship includes a different configuration from the other of the first and second fins in that stack. In one embodiment, the different configuration includes a different length, a different thickness, or a combination thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/858,727, filed Jun. 7, 2019, entitled “OrthopedicImplant with Improved Variable Angle Locking Mechanism,” the entirecontents of which application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants for couplingto one or more patient's bones, bone portions, bone fragments, etc., andmore specifically to orthopedic implants having improved variable anglelocking mechanisms for enabling polyaxial placement and fixation of afastener.

BACKGROUND

Bone fractures are often repaired by securing an orthopedic implant toone or more patient's bone(s), bone portions, bone fragments, etc. (usedinterchangeably without the intent to limit). For example, in oneprocedure, a bone plate is coupled to a patient's bone across thefracture. Generally speaking, in use, a bone plate is positioned so thatportions thereof are placed on either side of the fracture and fasteners(e.g., screws) are placed through openings formed in each bone plateportion. Depending upon which bone is to be treated, the bone plate maybe straight or curved to match the contour of the bone for which it isdesigned. Bone plates may also be provided in many shapes and sizes. Inuse, the bone plate promotes healing of the fracture by providing arigid fixation or support structure between the bone and the plate.

Bone plates may be secured to the bone in a number of ways. An existingsolution is a plate and screw system where the fasteners, screws, etc.(used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit) are locked tothe plate. A bone screw is threaded through an opening in the plate andinto the bone. The screw is then secured to the bone plate via threadsformed on the head portion of the bone screw that cooperate with thethreaded opening formed in the bone plate. This secures the plate withrespect to the bone and provides rigid fixation between the bone plateand screw(s). That is, because the head portion of the bone screwinterdigitates with the threads formed in the bone plate, the plate andscrews(s) form a stable system or construct, and the stability of thefracture can be dependent on or aided by the stiffness of the construct.Locking a screw into the plate can achieve angular and axial stabilityand eliminate the possibility for the screw to toggle, slide, or bedislodged, reducing the risk of postoperative loss of reduction.

However, although locking screws may reduce the incidence of loosening,they provide a limited range of fixation between the plate and thescrew(s). That is, because of the interlocking screw threads between thehead portion of the bone screw and the threaded opening formed in thebone plate, the insertion angle of the bone screw through the bone plateis limited. Generally speaking, the longitudinal axis of the bone screwlines up with a central axis of the opening, and no, or limited, angularvariation is allowed. Thus, limiting use of locking screws in someinstances.

For example, when treating a severe fracture, bone fragments may beshattered and located in irregular positions. Although a surgeon maywish to obtain the benefits of a locking screw and bone plate usedtogether, the angle at which the locking screw extends from the plate ata certain opening may not be the angle that would allow the surgeon tograb, seize, fix, or otherwise secure, the desired, random bonefragment. In this case, the surgeon may need to secure the plate to thebone somewhere else, or use a non-locking screw. Although non-lockingscrews do not lock into the plate, they can be inserted at variousangles.

Specifically, non-locking screws are secured into bone in the same waythat locking screws are, but they are not secured to the plate. That is,non-locking screws typically include rounded and/or smooth headportions. Thus, one advantage of non-locking screws is that they can beinserted at various angles because they are not limited by thethread-to-thread connection of locking screws with the bone plate.However, if the surgeon desires the rigid stable construct of a lockingscrew and plate, the use of a non-locking screw to obtain the desiredangular orientation is not necessarily optimal.

There have been bone plating systems developed that provide the surgeonwith the option of choosing a non-locking screw or a locking screw. Forexample, systems have been developed where the bone plate includesthreaded holes for receiving locking screws or non-locking screws, andnon-threaded holes for receiving non-locking screws. Also, systems havebeen developed where the bone plate includes partially threaded slots toallow either non-locking or locking screws to be used together. Suchcombination slots provide surgeons with the intraoperative choice aboutwhether to use the plate with locking screws, non-locking screws, orwith a combination of both. However, these systems have inherentdisadvantages. For example, the combination slots may not be able tomaintain the fixed angular relationship between the screw(s) and plateunder physiological loads.

There have been other attempts to provide increased polyaxial lockingsystems that provide increased range of angular displacement. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,367, issued on Jan. 31, 2012, entitled BonePlate and Bone Plate Assemblies including Polyaxial Fasteners,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In particular, U.S.Pat. No. 8,105,367 describes an implant having fastener receivingopenings with a single layer of fins that project into the opening. Inuse, the fins permit a fastener to be positioned off-axis within theopening.

While currently-available implants have produced excellent results, manyof these implants exhibit one or more shortcomings or disadvantages. Forexample, it would be beneficial to provide orthopedic implants such as,for example, bone plates, that provide for increased angulardisplacement of the fasteners with respect to the implant whilemaintaining secure engagement between the fasteners and the implant. Itis with this in mind that the present disclosure is provided.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended asan aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Disclosed herein is an orthopedic implant such as, for example, a boneplate. In one embodiment, the implant includes at least one openingformed therein for receiving a fastener such as, for example, a bonescrew. The at least one opening including a plurality of fins, tabs,projections, etc. (used interchangeably herein without the intent tolimit). The plurality of fins being arranged in first and second layers,rows, etc. (used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit).Each row including a plurality of fins such as, for example, four finsorientated ninety-degrees apart from each other. In one embodiment, atleast one of the fins has a different configuration from at least one ofthe other remaining fins.

In one embodiment, each of the first or upper fins and the second orlower fins in the first and second rows may be arranged and configuredin a vertically stacked relationship so that the second/lower fin isaligned with, positioned beneath, etc. the first/upper fin in a verticalstack.

In one embodiment, for each of the vertical stacks of first/upper andsecond/lower fins, the first/upper fin may have a differentconfiguration as compared to the second/lower fin in its vertical stack.

In one embodiment, each of the first/upper fins and second/lower finsmay alternate configurations as the fins are circumferentially disposedin the at least one opening. For example, with the at least one openingincluding four first/upper fins and four second/lower fins orientated ina vertically stacked relationship so that, for example, first/upper andsecond/lower fins are located at 12 O'clock, 3 O'clock, 6 O'clock, and 9O'clock, the first/upper fin at 12 O'clock and 6 O'clock may have adifferent configuration as compared to the second/lower fin at 12O'clock and 6 O'clock (e.g., the first/upper fins may have a firstconfiguration and the second/lower fins may have a secondconfiguration). Similarly, the first/upper fins located at 3 O'clock and9 O'clock may have a different configuration as compared to thesecond/lower fin at 3 O'clock and 9 O'clock (e.g., the first/upper finsmay have the second configuration and the second/lower fins may have thefirst configuration). Thus arranged, as one moves about thecircumference of the at least one opening, the first/upper fin at eachclock position may have a different configuration from the second/lowerfin at the same clock position, with the first/upper and second/lowerfins alternating configurations as one traverses about the circumferenceof the opening.

In one embodiment, the different configurations may correspond to adifferent length (e.g., as measured from a base of the fin to a terminalend of the fin), or a different thickness (e.g., cross-sectionaldiameter, thickness, etc.), or a combination thereof. Thus arranged, forexample, as one moves about the circumference of the at least oneopening, the first/upper fin at a first clock position may have a longerlength and/or thinner cross-section than the second/lower fin at thefirst clock position. Thereafter, at a subsequent clock position, thesecond/lower fin at a second clock position may have a longer lengthand/or thinner cross-section than the first/upper fin at the secondclock position, and so on as one traverses about the circumference ofthe opening.

In one embodiment, the orthopedic implant may be a bone plate. The boneplate including at least one opening including first and second rows offins. In one embodiment, each of the first and second rows of fins mayinclude four fins orientated ninety-degrees apart. The first and secondfins being orientated in a vertically stacked relationship. In oneembodiment, the first fin in a stacked relationship may extend into theopening farther than the second fin in the stacked relationship (e.g.,the first fin may have a longer length as measured from its base to itstip than the second fin). Alternatively, and/or in addition, the firstfin in the stacked relationship may be thinner (e.g., have a smallercross-sectional area) than the second fin in the stacked relationship.

In addition, and/or alternatively, adjacent sets of first and secondvertically stacked fins may alternate configurations so that, at thenext adjacent position, the first fin may be shorter than the secondfin. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the first fin may be thickerthan the second fin, and so on as one traverses about the circumferenceof the opening.

In one embodiment, an orthopedic implant is disclosed. The orthopedicimplant include an outer surface and at least one opening extendingthrough the outer surface and including a plurality of first fins and aplurality of second fins circumferentially disposed about the at leastone opening. The plurality of first fins are positioned in a verticallystacked relationship relative to the plurality of second fins. Theplurality of first fins and the plurality of second fins are adapted andconfigured to deflect or deform in order to secure a position of a headof a bone fastener inserted into the at least one opening. In oneembodiment, at least one of the plurality of fins includes a differentconfiguration from at least one of the other plurality of fins.

In one embodiment, the at least one of the plurality of fins includes afirst configuration and the at least one of the other plurality of finsincludes a second configuration, the first configuration being differentfrom the second configuration.

In one embodiment, the different configurations is selected from one ofa different size or length, or a different thickness (e.g.,cross-sectional area), or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the plurality of first and second fins orientated ina vertically stacked relationship are arranged and configured so that afirst fin in a first vertically stacked position includes a differentconfiguration from a second fin in the first vertically stackedposition.

In one embodiment, the plurality of first and second fins each includefour fins orientated ninety-degrees apart so that the first and secondfins are vertically stacked at position A, position B, position C, andposition D. The first fins at positions A, B, C, and D each having adifferent configuration than the second fin at positions A, B, C, and D,respectively.

In one embodiment, the first fins at positions A and C each include afirst configuration, the second fins at positions A and C each include asecond configuration different from the first configuration. In oneembodiment, the second fins at positions B and D include the firstconfiguration and the first fins at positions B and D include the secondconfiguration.

In one embodiment, an orthopedic implant is disclosed. The orthopedicimplant includes a bone contacting surface, an upper surface oppositethe bone contacting surface, and a plurality of openings extendingbetween the bone contacting surface and the upper surface, each of theplurality of openings being arranged and configured to receive afastener for coupling the orthopedic implant to a patient's bone in use.At least one of the plurality of openings including first and secondrows of fins. Each of the first and second rows of fins including aplurality of fins circumferentially disposed about the at least oneopening, the plurality of fins being arranged and configured to engage ahead portion of a respective fastener inserted therein. At least one ofthe plurality of fins in the first and second rows of fins has adifferent configuration from at least one of another one of theplurality of fins in the first and second rows of fins.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of fins in the first row offins is arranged and configured in a vertically stacked relationshipwith one of the plurality of fins in the second row of fins so that thesecond row of fins is circumferentially aligned with the first row offins.

In one embodiment, for each of the vertical stacks of first and secondrows of fins, the fin in the first row of fins has a differentconfiguration as compared to the fin in the second row of fins in itsrespective vertical stack.

In one embodiment, each fin in the first and second rows of finsincludes an alternating configuration of fins as the fins arecircumferentially disposed in the at least one opening.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second rows of fins includefour fins orientated ninety-degrees apart so that the four fins in thefirst and second rows of fins are positioned in circumferentialpositions A, B, C, and D. The fin in the first row of fins at positionsA and C includes a first configuration, the fin in the first row of finsat positions B and D includes a second configuration, the fin in thesecond row of fins at positions A and C includes the secondconfiguration, and the fin in the second row of fins at positions B andD includes the first configuration.

In one embodiment, as one moves about a circumference of the at leastone opening, each fin in the first row of fins has a differentconfiguration as compared to each fin in the second row of fins in itsrespective vertical stack, with each fin in the first row of fins andeach fin in the second row of fins alternating configurations.

In one embodiment, the different configuration of fins is selected fromone of a different length, a different thickness, or a combinationthereof.

In one embodiment, at least one of the fins in the first row of finsextends into the at least one opening farther than the fin in the secondrow of fins in the vertically stacked relationship.

In one embodiment, at least one of the fins in the first row of fins hasa thinner cross-sectional area at a tip thereof as compared to the finin the second row of fins in the vertically stacked relationship.

In one embodiment, the orthopedic implant is a bone plate.

In one embodiment, a bone plate is disclosed. The bone plate includes atop surface, a bone contacting surface, and at least one openingextending between the top surface and the bone contacting surface, theat least one opening including first and second rows of fins, each ofthe first and second rows of fins including a plurality of finscircumferentially disposed about the at least one opening, the fins inthe first row of fins being aligned in a vertically stacked relationshipwith the fins in the second row of fins. For each vertically stackedrelationship, the fin in the first row of fins has one of a firstconfiguration and a second configuration, the fin in the second row offins has the other one of the first configuration and the secondconfiguration, the first configuration being different than the secondconfiguration.

In one embodiment, the first configuration is a different length asmeasured from a base of the fin to a tip of the fin, the secondconfiguration is a thinner cross-sectional area at the tip of the fin.

In one embodiment, the fins in the first row of fins alternate first andsecond configurations as one moves about a circumference of the at leastone opening; and the fins in the second row of fins alternate first andsecond configurations as one moves about the circumference of the atleast one opening.

In one embodiment, the first configuration is a different length asmeasured from a base of the fin to a tip of the fin, the fins in thefirst and second row of fins alternating first and second configurationsas one moves about a circumference of the at least one opening so that alonger length fin alternates between the first and second rows of finsas one moves about the circumference of the at least one opening.

In one embodiment, each of the first and second rows of fins includefour fins orientated ninety-degrees apart so that the four fins in thefirst and second rows of fins are positioned in circumferentialpositions A, B, C, and D. The fin in the first row of fins at positionsA and C includes the first configuration, the fin in the first row offins at positions B and D includes the second configuration, the fin inthe second row of fins at positions A and C includes the secondconfiguration, and the fin in the second row of fins at positions B andD includes the first configuration.

In one embodiment, the orthopedic implant further includes at least onefastener for receipt within the at least one opening. The fastener beingat least partially threaded and having a head portion and a shaftportion. The plurality of first and second fins are deflectable,deformable, or a combination thereof, relative to the head portion ofthe fastener so that when the fastener is inserted into the opening, thefastener is retained at any one of a plurality of angles relative to theopening. In use, the plurality of first and second fins are deformable,deflectable, or a combination thereof, so that at least some of thefirst and second fins are interposed between adjacent threads formed onthe head portion of the fastener.

In one embodiment, an orthopedic implant including an outer surface andat least one opening extending through the outer surface for receiving afastener for coupling the implant to a patient's bone or boneportion/fragment is disclosed. The opening including a plurality of finscircumferentially disposed about the opening for engaging threads formedon a head portion of the fastener to secure the fastener to the implant.The plurality of fins being arranged and configured in first and secondvertically spaced rows of fins. At least one of the fins including adifferent configuration, property, etc. relative to at least one of theother plurality of fins. In one embodiment, each of the first and secondfins in a vertically stacked relationship includes a differentconfiguration from the other of the first and second fins in that stack.In one embodiment, the different configuration includes a differentlength, a different thickness, or a combination thereof.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide numerous advantages. Forexample, use of the coupling mechanism of the present disclosure enablesa surgeon to polyaxially position the fastener relative to the implantto provide increased versatility while providing a better couplingbetween the fastener and the implant to avoid, or at least minimize, therisk of the fastener dislodging from the implant after implantation.

Further features and advantages of at least some of the embodiments ofthe present invention, as well as the structure and operation of variousembodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the disclosed device willnow be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example embodiment of an orthopedicimplant (shown as a bone plate positioned on a bone);

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the orthopedic implant taken alongline II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a variable angle locking mechanism forreceiving a fastener that may be used in connection with the orthopedicimplant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an alternate perspective view of the variable angle lockingmechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an alternate perspective view of the variable angle lockingmechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an alternate perspective view of the variable angle lockingmechanism shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the variable angle locking mechanism shown inFIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the variable angle locking mechanism shown inFIG. 3.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrateddiagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, detailswhich are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed methodsand devices or which render other details difficult to perceive may havebeen omitted. It should be further understood that this disclosure isnot limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various features, aspects, or the like of an orthopedic implant ordevice (used interchangeably herein without the intent to limit) willnow be described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which one or more aspects or features of theorthopedic implant will be shown and described. It should be appreciatedthat the various features, aspects, or the like may be usedindependently of, or in combination, with each other. It will beappreciated that an orthopedic implant as disclosed herein may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will convey certain aspects orfeatures of the orthopedic implant to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout unlessotherwise noted.

Disclosed herein is an orthopedic implant including an improved variableangled coupling, securing, locking, etc. (used interchangeably hereinwithout the intent to limit) mechanism for enabling increased polyaxialangular rotation of fasteners relative to the implant. As will beillustrated and described, in one embodiment, the orthopedic implant maybe in the form of a bone plate. However, as will be appreciated by oneof ordinary skill in the art, the orthopedic implant may be any nowknown or hereafter developed implant that receives a fastener forcoupling to a patient's bone, bone portions, bone fragments, etc. (usedinterchangeably herein without the intent to limit) including, forexample, an intramedullary nail, a knee replacement device, a hipreplacement device, an acetabular cup, an acetabular cage, an externalfixation device, etc.

Moreover, the orthopedic implant may have any shape and/orconfiguration, which, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art, may be dependent on the location and type of patient's bonebeing fixed. For example, a bone plate may include a bone conformingarcuate surface. In addition, the bone plate may be arranged andconfigured to contact a distal femur, a proximal femur, a distal tibia,a proximal tibia, a proximal humerus, a distal humerus, a clavicle, afibula, an ulna, a radius, a distal radius, a rib, pelvis, a vertebra,bones of the foot, or bones of the hand, shaft fractures on long bones,or any of the aforementioned adjacent bones in the case of a jointfusion plate.

In addition, the implant such as, for example, the bone plate, mayinclude any now known or hereafter developed additional features suchas, for example, one or more openings or slots designed to receive, forexample, surgical implantation tools, different fasteners (e.g.,non-locking fasteners), k-wires, or the like.

The orthopedic implant may be manufactured from any suitable materialnow known or hereafter developed, including, for example, metals,polymers, plastics, ceramics, resorbable, non-resorbable, compositematerials, etc. Suitable materials may include, for example, titanium,stainless steel, cobalt chrome, polyetheretherketone (PEEK),polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE),resorbable polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), combinationsor alloys of such materials or any other appropriate material that hassufficient strength to be secured to and hold bone, while also havingsufficient biocompatibility to be implanted into a patient's body. Insome embodiments, the fastener may be manufactured from the samematerial as the implant. In other embodiments, the fasteners may bemanufactured from a different material as compared to the implant.

The fastener can be any type of fastener now known or hereafterdeveloped. For example, the fastener may include any type of externalthread including standard or non-standard threads. For example, theexternal threads can be arranged as a continuous ridge or anon-continuous ridge. The external threads can form a portion of arevolution, one complete revolution, multiple revolutions, a singlelead, multiple leads, or any other threads known in the art.Additionally, and/or alternatively, in the case of locking screws, thehead portion of the fastener can include any surface that will engagewith and seat within the opening. For example, the head portion caninclude threads (as will be described herein). Alternatively, the headportion can include a series of dimples, ridges, bumps, textured areas,or any other surface that can secure the fastener.

The fastener may be any typical fastener, made out of any appropriatematerial. The fastener may include a bore for receiving a driver inorder to drive the fastener through the implant and into the patient'sbone. The bore may be any size and shape, for example, it may have ahexagonal configuration to receive a corresponding hexagonal driver, aPhillips screw head, a flat-head, a star configuration, Torx, or anyother appropriate configuration that can cooperate with a driver todrive the fastener through the implant and into the patient's bone.

The shaft of the fastener may be fully threaded, partially threaded, ora helical blade, and/or may include one or more tacks, deployabletalons, expandable elements, or any feature that allows the shaft toengage the patient's bone. It is also possible that shaft benon-threaded so that the fastener takes the form of a peg or a pin. Thisalternative implementation may be preferred in certain procedures where,for instance, the main goal is to prevent tilting of a bone segment orin procedures where there is no concern of the fastener pulling out fromthe patient's bone and hence no need for the shaft to be threaded orotherwise configured to engage the patient's bone. The end of the shaftmay be a self-tapping or self-drilling tip.

In any event, as will be readily apparent from the remaining disclosure,the focus of the present disclosure is on example embodiments of finnedopenings formed in the orthopedic implant for receiving a fastener.Thus, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure should not belimited to any particular type of orthopedic implant having anyparticular configuration unless specifically claimed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an orthopedic implant 100 may be a boneplate for repairing fractures in a patient's bone or bone portions B.That is, as shown, the orthopedic implant 100 may be in the form of abone plate 140 including one or more fasteners 190 for securing theimplant (e.g., bone plate) 140 to the patient's bone B. As previouslymentioned, the orthopedic implant 100 may be any now known or hereafterdeveloped implant receiving a fastener for securing to a patient's boneor bone portions B. Similarly, the fastener 190 may be any now known orhereafter developed fastener. As shown, in one embodiment, the fastener190 includes a head portion 194 and a shaft portion 192. The shaftportion 192 may be threaded or non-threaded. The head portion 194 of thefastener 190 includes at least one thread or the like. The head portion194 may include a bore for receiving a driver in order to drive thefastener 190 through the plate 140 and into the patient's bone B.

As shown, the bone plate 140 may include one or more openings 200 forreceiving a head portion 194 of a fastener 190 inserted therein. Thatis, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the boneplate 140 may include a lower or bone contacting surface 142, an uppersurface 144 opposite the lower or bone contacting surface 142, and aplurality of openings 200 extending between the upper surface 144 andthe lower or bone contacting surface 142 for receiving a plurality offasteners 190, respectively, for coupling the bone plate 140 to thepatient's bone or bone portions B. As will be described herein, one ormore of the openings 200 include a plurality of fins for coupling with,engaging, etc. the head portion 194 of the fastener 190 inserted therein(referred to herein as a finned opening). In use, the finned openings200 can be positioned anywhere on the implant (e.g., bone plate) 100. Inuse, the fastener 190 can be inserted into the finned opening 200 andfixed relative to the plate 140 at various insertion angles to capturerandom bone portions, fragments, etc. that have split from the boneduring fracture and secure the bone portions, fragments, etc. to theplate 140.

As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the finned openings 200 enable afastener 190 inserted therein to achieve a greater range of insertionangles as compared to, for example, a conventional locking screw 90 thatis threadably coupled to the bone plate 140. For example, in oneembodiment, the angular position of the fastener 190 may be rotatedthrough a range of approximately ±15 degrees, although the range ofallowable polyaxial rotation can vary, including greater and less thanthe fifteen degrees.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, in accordance with preferred embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the finned opening 200 formed in the bone plate 140includes an inner surface 202 and a plurality of inwardly protrudingfins 210 that extend toward a central axis 201 of the finned opening200. Each fin 210 includes a base 212, a terminal end or tip 214, andside surfaces 216, 218. The bases 212 forming concave portions 220.

In one embodiment, the concave portions 220 are smooth and non-threaded,and as illustrated, the entire inner surface 202 of the finned opening200 can be devoid of any threads. The bases 212 can extend from theinner surface 202 of the finned opening 200.

As shown, in some embodiments, the fins 210 are integrally connected to,and protruding from, the inner surface 202 of the finned opening 200.The finned opening 200 may include a radius between the inner surface202 and the top of the fins 210 and each fin 210 may taper in thicknessfrom its base 212 to its terminal end or tip 214. Thus arranged, thefinned opening 200 may be seen to have a jagged circumference formed byprotruding fins 210. The protruding fins 210 may form a concave portionof the inner surface 202. The protruding fins 210 have bases 212 thatmeet the inner surface 202 along planes as described in greater detailbelow.

As shown, in some embodiment, as the fins 210 extend toward the centralaxis 201 of the finned opening 200, the fins 210 can taper to forminwardly tapered side surfaces 216, 218. Alternatively, the sidesurfaces 216, 218 of the fins 210 may taper outwardly or may be parallelwith each other. The terminal ends or tips 214 can have any shapesuitable for engaging the head portion 194 of the fastener 190. Forexample, the terminal ends or tips 214 can be rounded, pointed, square,rectangular, or any other appropriate configuration. Generally speaking,the fins 210 may be trapezoidally-shaped, rounded, oval, square,rectangular, curved, rhomboid, diamond-shaped, triangular, or the like.The fins 210 may be provided as a series of concavely indented, inwardlyprotruding fins that are adapted to secure a head 194 of a fastener 190in place at varying angles (e.g., fins 210 engage the threads or othersurfaces formed on the head portion 194 of the fastener 190). Additionalinformation on the configuration and nature of the fins can be found inU.S. Pat. No. 8,105,367, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

By providing a non-threaded inner surface 202, the fastener 190 can beinserted into the finned opening 200 at a desired insertion angle (e.g.,an angle between a longitudinal axis 196 (FIG. 2) of the fastener 190and the central axis 201 of the finned opening 200). The central axis201 and the longitudinal axis 196 can be co-linear so that the insertionangle is zero, or the central axis 201 and the longitudinal axis 196 canbe non-co-linear with an insertion angle of up to about +/−15 degrees.Varying the insertion angle is possible because there are not anythreads in the finned opening 200 to interfere with the desiredinsertion angle. As will be described in greater detail, in use, thefins 210 are intended to slightly bend or deform in order to secure thefastener 190 in place in the finned opening 200.

As shown in FIGS. 3-8, in one example embodiment, the finned openings200 include a plurality of first or upper fins 210A and a plurality ofsecond or lower fins 210B. That is, the finned openings 200 may includea first or upper row of fins including a plurality of first or upperfins 210A and a second or lower row of fins including a plurality ofsecond or lower fins 210B, wherein the first or upper row of fins isspaced from the second or lower rows of fins. In use, the first or upperrow of fins are positioned closer to a first or upper surface of theimplant and the second or lower fins are positioned closer to theopposite or lower surface of the implant. In use, the upper fins 210Aand the lower fins 210B are axially spaced from each other so that thereis a space therebetween so that a threaded portion or the like of thehead portion 194 of the fastener 190 may be positioned within thisspace.

In one embodiment, as shown, the upper fins 210A may be stacked oraligned with the lower fins 210B. That is, in one embodiment, the upperfins 210A and the lower fins 210B are positioned circumferentially aboutthe finned opening 200 in a vertically stacked position. For example, inone embodiment, the upper and lower rows of fins may each include fourfins positioned ninety-degrees apart in a vertically stacked position.That is, in one embodiment, the upper row of fins and the lower row offins may include four upper fins 210A oriented ninety-degrees apartaround the finned opening 200 and four lower fins 210B oriented directlybeneath the upper fins 210A. Alternatively, it is envisioned that theupper and lower rows of fins may include more of less fins. For example,the upper and lower rows of fins may each include three fins positioned120 degrees apart in a vertically stacked position, six fins positioned60 degrees apart in a vertically stacked position, etc. Moreover, it isenvisioned that the upper and lower fins may be positioned offset, orpartially offset, from each other. That is, the upper and lower fins maynot be positioned in a vertically stacked relationship but rather theupper fins may be positioned offset, or partially offset, from the lowerfins (e.g., the upper fins may be positioned in-between the lower fins).In an alternate embodiment, it is envisioned that the upper row of finsand the lower row of fins may include different number of fins such as,for example, the upper row may include four fins and the lower row offins may include five fins, or the like.

In addition, and/or alternatively, as will be described in greaterdetail below, one or more of the individual fins 210 residing within theupper and lower rows of fins may have different properties,configurations, etc. (used interchangeably herein without the intent tolimit) from one or more of the other fins residing within the upper andlower rows of fins. That is, at least one of the fins 210 has adifferent configuration from at least one of the other remaining fins.As shown, in one embodiment, the different configuration may correspondto a different length or relative inscribed diameter (usedinterchangeably) (e.g., measured from a base 212 of the fin 210 to aterminal end 214 of the fin 210), or a different thickness (e.g., adifferent cross-sectional diameter, thickness, etc.), or a combinationthereof. Thus arranged, at least one of the fins may be said to have afirst configuration and at least one of the fins may be said to have asecond configuration. Generally speaking, the second configuration issmaller, less material fins that will enhance/improve the construct. Forexample, in one embodiment, the first configuration may have a thicknessat the terminal end 214 of the fin 210 of approximately 0.009 inches.The second configuration may have a thickness at the terminal end 214 ofthe fin 210 of approximately 0.009 inches or less, although as will beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art these dimensions arejust one example and the fins may have other dimensions. Moreover, inone embodiment, the second configuration may have a larger inscribeddiameter as compared to the first configuration.

As shown, in one embodiment, each of the upper fins 210A and the lowerfins 210B in the first and second rows may be arranged and configured ina vertically stacked relationship so that the lower fins 210B arealigned with, positioned beneath, etc. the upper fins 210A in a verticalstack. In one embodiment, for each of the vertical stacks of upper andlower fins 210A, 210B, the upper fin 210A may have a differentconfiguration as compared to the lower fin 210B in its vertical stack(e.g., positioned directly above it). That is, for example, the upperfin 210A in a vertical stack may have a first configuration and thelower fin 210B in the vertical stack may have the second configuration.

That is, for example, in one embodiment, the upper and lower fins 210A,210B may extend into the opening toward the central axis 201 of thefinned opening 200 by a different amount, extent, or the like. Inaddition, the shorter fins may have a different cross-sectional area(e.g., a different thickness) relative to the longer fins. Thusarranged, during insertion of a fastener 190 into a finned opening 200,the threads formed on the head portion 194 of the fastener 190 willstart to engage the longer fins 210 first thus providing initialfixation. Subsequently, the head portion 194 of the fastener 190 willengage the shorter fins thereby providing increased fixation strength.

In addition, and/or alternatively, each of the upper fins 210A and thelower fins 210B may alternate configurations as the fins 210 arecircumferentially disposed in the finned opening 200. For example, asshown, with the finned opening 200 including four upper fins 210A andfour lower fins 210B, although the number of fins may be varied,orientated in a vertically stacked relationship so that, for example,the upper and the lower fins may be said to reside at positions A, B, Cand D, respectively, corresponding to, for example, 12 O'clock, 3O'clock, 6 O'clock, and 9 O'clock, the upper fin 210A at position A(e.g., 12 O'clock) and position C (e.g., 6 O'clock) may have a differentconfiguration as compared to the lower fin 210B at position A (e.g., 12O'clock) and position C (e.g., 6 O'clock) (e.g., the upper fins 210A mayhave a first configuration and the lower fins 210B may have a secondconfiguration). Similarly, the upper fins 210A located at position B(e.g., 3 O'clock) and position D (e.g., 9 O'clock) may have a differentconfiguration as compared to the lower fins at position B (e.g., 3O'clock) and position D (e.g., 9 O'clock) (e.g., the upper fins 210A mayhave the second configuration and the lower fins 210B may have the firstconfiguration). Thus arranged, as one moves about the circumference ofthe finned opening 200, the upper fin 210A at each clock position mayhave a different configuration from the lower fin 210B at the same clockposition, with the upper and lower fins 210A, 210B alternatingconfigurations as one traverses about the circumference of the finnedopening 200. That is, as one moves about the circumference of the finnedopening 200, the first fin at a first clock position may have adifferent length and/or different cross-section than the second fin atthe first clock position. Thereafter, at a subsequent clock position,the second fin at a second clock position may have a different lengthand/or different cross-section than the first fin at the second clockposition, and so on as one traverses about the circumference of thefinned opening 200. For example, in one embodiment, the first fin at afirst clock position may have a longer length than the second fin at thefirst clock position. In addition, and/or alternatively, the first finat the first clock position may have a smaller cross-sectional area(e.g., reduced thickness) than the second fin at the first clockposition. Thereafter, at a subsequent clock position, the second fin ata second clock position may have a longer length than the first fin atthe second clock position. In addition, and/or alternatively, the secondfin at the second clock position may have a smaller cross-sectional area(e.g., reduced thickness) than the first fin at the second clockposition, and so on as one traverses about the circumference of thefinned opening 200.

In use, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,insertion of a fastener 190 into a finned opening 200 results in theupper and lower fins 210A, 210B being threaded into the head portion 194of the fastener 190. Thus arranged, in use, the fins 210 act to preventbacking out of the fastener 190 from the implant 100. In use, thefastener 190 may be inserted into the finned opening 200 at a variety ofangles, while still securing the fastener 190 to the implant 100.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, thedimensions of each individual fin 210 is typically dependent at least inpart upon the pitch and threads on the head portion 194 of the fastener190. For example, a larger plate/implant 100 for use with a largerfastener 190 (for example, for use on a femur bone) will likely bethicker and will have larger and thicker fins than a smallerplate/implant 100 (for example, for use on a smaller bone). In specificimplementations, the fins 210 are particularly thin so that they can bemoved up or down and deform under pressure. That is, upon insertion of afastener 190 into a finned opening 200, the upper and lower fins 210A,210B will either deform, deflect, or combinations thereof. Thusarranged, in some embodiments, the fins 210 may be pressed toward theedges of the finned opening 200. A non-limiting exemplary range ofthicknesses for the fins 210 is from about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm,although larger and smaller sizes are possible. In use, the fins 210 areintended to fit between threads or the like formed on the head portion194 of the fastener 190. In one embodiment, a ratio of a thread pitchformed on the head portion 194 of the fastener 190 to the distance orspacing between the upper and lower fins 210A, 210B is between 0.85 to1.15.

In some embodiments, the finned openings 200 may include a countersink.In use, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, byproviding a countersink, the head portion 194 of the fastener 190 mayinteract with the countersink to facilitate improved polyaxial rotationof the fastener 190 relative to the implant 100.

In some embodiments, the bases 212 of the upper fins 210A all meet, forexample, in substantially the same plane and then angle downwardly andinwardly at a similar angle or slope. Similarly, the bases 212 of thelower fins 210B all meet, for example, in substantially the same planeand then angle downwardly and inwardly at a similar angle or slope. Thedownward angle of the upper and lower fins 210A, 210B may be the same,although it is envisioned that the upper fins 210A may be angled at adifferent angle than the lower fins 210B. In some embodiments, one orboth of the upper and lower planes may be parallel to a surface of theimplant. Alternatively, one or both of the upper and lower planes may benon-parallel to a surface of the implant.

In some embodiments, the central axis 201 of the finned openings 200 maybe perpendicular to the surface of the implant or the central axis 201may be non-perpendicular to the implant.

As will be appreciated, the finned openings 200 provide an improvedstable connection between the fasteners 190 and the implant 100 thatpermits different angles to be obtained between the fasteners 190 andthe implant 100, while securing the fastener 190 to the implant 100.This allows the surgeon greater versatility to reach denser areas ofbone or capture random bone fragments that are in irregular positions,for example, in cases of severe fractures with highly fragmented bones.The fastener and implant system advantageously allows the surgeon tochoose the angle at which the fastener 190 is inserted through, andrigidly affixed in, an opening of the implant 100.

In use, the plurality of fins 210 may engage the head portion 194 of thefastener 190 when the fastener 190 is inserted into the finned opening200 such that the fastener 190 can be inserted and retained at any oneof a plurality of angles relative to the finned opening 200 (e.g., theconfiguration of the fins act to improve the resistance to cantileverload on the fastener 190 when locked into the fins regardless of thedirection or angle of screw relative to the implant 100). The fins 210may deflect and/or deform so that the fins 210 are interposed betweenthe threads or the like on the head 194 of the fastener 190. Thusarranged, the fins 210 grasp, for example, the threads formed on thehead 194 of the fastener 190 in order to secure the fastener 190 inplace relative to the implant 100 at any desired insertion angle. Aspreviously mentioned, the fins 210 can be very thin so that as thethreads start to grab the fins 210, the fins 210 can move up or down asappropriate to engage the threads and secure the fastener 190 in thefinned opening 200. The threads engage the fins 210 so that the fins 210fit between the threads. The movement of fins 210 can be a permanentdeformation, so that the fins 210 cannot flex back and allow thefastener 190 to work its way out.

The foregoing description has broad application. Accordingly, thediscussion of any embodiment is meant only to be explanatory and is notintended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including theclaims, is limited to these example embodiments. In other words, whileillustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detailherein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may beotherwise variously embodied and employed, and that the appended claimsare intended to be construed to include such variations, except aslimited by the prior art.

The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more ofthat entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “atleast one” can be used interchangeably herein. The use of “including,”“comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant toencompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well asadditional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof are open-ended expressions and can beused interchangeably herein. The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”,and “and/or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are bothconjunctive and disjunctive in operation.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower,upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not createlimitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use ofthis disclosure. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled,connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and may includeintermediate members between a collection of elements and relativemovement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such,connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements aredirectly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Identificationreferences (e.g., primary, secondary, first, second, third, fourth,etc.) are not intended to connote importance or priority but are used todistinguish one feature from another. The drawings are for purposes ofillustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relativesizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.

What is claimed is:
 1. An orthopedic implant comprising: a bonecontacting surface; an upper surface opposite the bone contactingsurface; and a plurality of openings extending between the bonecontacting surface and the upper surface, each of the plurality ofopenings being arranged and configured to receive a fastener forcoupling the orthopedic implant to a patient's bone in use; wherein: atleast one of the plurality of openings including first and second rowsof fins; each of the first and second rows of fins including a pluralityof fins circumferentially disposed about the at least one opening, theplurality of fins being arranged and configured to engage a head portionof a respective fastener inserted therein; and at least one of theplurality of fins in the first and second rows of fins has a differentconfiguration from at least one of another one of the plurality of finsin the first and second rows of fins.
 2. The orthopedic implant of claim1, wherein each of the plurality of fins in the first row of fins isarranged and configured in a vertically stacked relationship with one ofthe plurality of fins in the second row of fins so that the second rowof fins is circumferentially aligned with the first row of fins.
 3. Theorthopedic implant of claim 2, wherein, for each of the vertical stacksof first and second rows of fins, the fin in the first row of fins has adifferent configuration as compared to the fin in the second row of finsin its respective vertical stack.
 4. The orthopedic implant of claim 3,wherein, each fin in the first and second rows of fins includes analternating configuration of fins as the fins are circumferentiallydisposed in the at least one opening.
 5. The orthopedic implant of claim3, wherein each of the first and second rows of fins include four finsorientated ninety-degrees apart so that the four fins in the first andsecond rows of fins are positioned in circumferential positions A, B, C,and D; wherein: the fin in the first row of fins at positions A and Cincludes a first configuration; the fin in the first row of fins atpositions B and D includes a second configuration; the fin in the secondrow of fins at positions A and C includes the second configuration; andthe fin in the second row of fins at positions B and D includes thefirst configuration.
 6. The orthopedic implant of claim 3, wherein, asone moves about a circumference of the at least one opening, each fin inthe first row of fins has a different configuration as compared to eachfin in the second row of fins in its respective vertical stack, witheach fin in the first row of fins and each fin in the second row of finsalternating configurations.
 7. The orthopedic implant of claim 3,wherein the different configuration of fins is selected from one of adifferent length, a different thickness, or a combination thereof. 8.The orthopedic implant of claim 2, wherein at least one of the fins inthe first row of fins extends into the at least one opening farther thanthe fin in the second row of fins in the vertically stackedrelationship.
 9. The orthopedic implant of claim 8, wherein at least oneof the fins in the first row of fins has a thinner cross-sectional areaat a tip thereof as compared to the fin in the second row of fins in thevertically stacked relationship.
 10. The orthopedic implant of claim 1,wherein the orthopedic implant is a bone plate.
 11. A bone platecomprising: a top surface; a bone contacting surface; and at least oneopening extending between the top surface and the bone contactingsurface, the at least one opening including first and second rows offins, each of the first and second rows of fins including a plurality offins circumferentially disposed about the at least one opening, the finsin the first row of fins being aligned in a vertically stackedrelationship with the fins in the second row of fins; wherein, for eachvertically stacked relationship, the fin in the first row of fins hasone of a first configuration and a second configuration, the fin in thesecond row of fins has the other one of the first configuration and thesecond configuration, the first configuration being different than thesecond configuration.
 12. The bone plate of claim 11, wherein the firstconfiguration is a different length as measured from a base of the finto a tip of the fin, the second configuration is a thinnercross-sectional area at the tip of the fin.
 13. The bone plate of claim11, wherein the fins in the first row of fins alternate first and secondconfigurations as one moves about a circumference of the at least oneopening; and the fins in the second row of fins alternate first andsecond configurations as one moves about the circumference of the atleast one opening.
 14. The bone plate of claim 11, wherein the firstconfiguration is a different length as measured from a base of the finto a tip of the fin, the fins in the first and second row of finsalternating first and second configurations as one moves about acircumference of the at least one opening so that a longer length finalternates between the first and second rows of fins as one moves aboutthe circumference of the at least one opening.
 15. The bone plate ofclaim 11, wherein each of the first and second rows of fins include fourfins orientated ninety-degrees apart so that the four fins in the firstand second rows of fins are positioned in circumferential positions A,B, C, and D; wherein: the fin in the first row of fins at positions Aand C includes the first configuration; the fin in the first row of finsat positions B and D includes the second configuration; the fin in thesecond row of fins at positions A and C includes the secondconfiguration; and the fin in the second row of fins at positions B andD includes the first configuration.